Brake



Sept. 10, 1929. B. s; FERGUSON 1,727,539

- BRAKE Filed Sept. 25, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 //Vl/E/V7'0/?. BERL IN S. FZRGUSON.

I ATTORNEY Sept. 10, 1929. 4 B. s. FERGUSON BRAKE Filed Sept. 25, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 RGUSON.

A ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 10, 1929 UNETED STATES PATENT ()FFlCE.

BERLIN s. FERGUSON. 0F MARION, OHIO, AssIGNoR TO THE MARION STEAM SHOVEL COMPANY, OF MARION, OI-IIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

BRAKE.

Application filed September This invention relates to brakes and more particularly to band brakes.

One object of the invention is to provide a hand brake of such a character that it will operate with equal efiiciency when the brake drum is rotated in either direction.

A further object of the invention is to provide an actuating mechanism for the brake hand which will operate to anchor one or the other of the ends of the brake band, according to the direction of rotation of the drum, and will act upon the other end of the brake band to tighten the same about the drum.

A, Further object of the invention is to provide such an actuating mechanism which will be simple in its construction, positive in its operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the device is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a hand brake showing my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the operating mechanism taken centrally through the fluid operated device: Fig. 3 is a detail view of portions of the levers showing the means for connecting the same with the brake band; Fig. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, oi? a modified form of the invention; Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5 5 ofFig. 4c; and Fig. 6 is a detail view oi the connection between the fluid operated device and the levers.

In these drawings 1 have shown two embodiments of my invention and have shown the same applied to a hand brake of an ordinary construction but it will be understood that these embodiments have been chosen for the purposes of illustration only i the band which is anchored being determined by the direction of rotation of the drum, and

25, 1925. semi No. 58,530.

for imparting operative movement to the other end of the brake band. The movement imparted to the last mentioned end of the brake band may be either in a direction to set the band or to release the same, and means under the control of the operator are provided for moving the last mentioned end of the band in a direction to release or set the band as the case may be. Preferably separate actuating devices are connected with the respective ends of the band and comprise means tending normally to move the ends of the band either in direction to'set the band or to release the same. The rotation of the brake drum will tend to cause the band to move with the drum and this tendency Will exert a pull on that actuating device with which the rear end of the band is connected. Means are provided for limiting the movement of this actuating device by the rear end of the band so that the end of the band will be firmly anchored and held against movement by the drum. The other actuating device being free to function will normally impart movement to the forward end of the band either in one direction or the other. A controlling device acts on the actuating device which is connected with the forward end of the band to move the same in a direction op posite that in which it normally moves, so as to either set the band or release the same as the case may be.

In that form of the device illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I have shown the brake as comprising a drum 1 capable of rotation in either direction and mounted about this drum is a brake band 2 of ordinary construction. Connected with the respective ends of the brake hand are separate actuating devices which are preferably in the form of levers 3 and 4 comprising hub portions 5 and 6 journaled on a shaft 7. Each actuating device or lever is provided with means for connecting it with one end of the band. In that form of the device here shown, the hub portions of the two levers are'provided with'crank arms 8 and 9. The crank arm 8 is connected with the end 10 of the brake band by means of a pair of links 11 and the crank arm 9 is connected with the end 12 of the brake band by comes firmly anchored.

means of a screw 13 which is pivotally mounted at one end on the crank arm and has its other end screw threaded into a block or pin 14 seated in a'loop in the end of the brake band. The connection may be adjusted by disconnecting the pin 13 from the crank arm 9 and adjusting the same in the block 14. Each actuating lever is provided with means tending to move thesamein one direction and thus impart operative movement to that end,

of the brake band which is connected therewith. In the present instance, I have mouiit ed weights 15 on the end portions of the re spective levers but it will be obvious that any suitable means may be used for imparting movementto the actuating devices. It will be noted that the arrangement er the crank arms 8 and 9 with relation to the weighted levers is such that the normal movement of the actuating levers will tend t tighten the band about the brake drum and thus set the brake. When the brake drum is rotated the rag of the band on' the drum will tend to cause the band to, move with the drum and this ,will' cause ts, actuating device with which the resign er the band is connected to be moved by the band, This movement of the actuating device is limited so as to check the movement of the actuating device and firmly anchor the rearend of the brake band against movement with the drum. In the present construction, the hubs and 6 of the band, are provided with projections 16 and 17 which extend on that side of the hubs opposite the weighted ends of the levers and are arranged to engage a hired stop 18 which will positively limit the movement of the levers in a reverse direction;

When the drum 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1 the end 12 oi the brake band will constitute the rear end thereof and will act on the lever 3 to elevate the u' eighted end thereof until the projection 16 engages the stop 18 and the end or the band thus be- The weighted lever 4 will act constantly upon the forward end of the band and will tighten. the band about the drum andfset the brake. When the drum rotates in a direction opposite the arrow in Fig; 1 the end 10 or the band will constitute the rear end thereofand the projection 17 of the lever i will engage the fined stop to anchor the end 10 of the band against movement with the drum, and the weighted lever 3 will act on the end12 of the band to set the same tightly about the drum. In this form of the mechanism when. the actuating devices are free from all influence except that exerted thereon thc brake band, the brake will be set. In order to release the brake means are provided, under the control of the operator, for moving the actuating device, which is connected with the forward end of the band in a direction to move that end of the band rearwardly and thus release the'band from the drum. This controlling device may take various forms but preferably fluid operated means are used for this purpose. As here shown, the fluid operated controlling device comprises a cylinder 19, the lower end of which is connected by a pipe 20 with a suitable sourceof supply for fluid under pressure, not here shown. Mounted in the cylinder is a piston 21 having connected therewith a piston rod or plunger 22 which extends through the upper end of the cylinder and has pivotally mounted thereon an equalizing bar 23 the ends of which are connected with the respectiv'e levers by means of links 2-1 pivotally connected at their upper ends with the respective ends of the equalizing bar and connected at their lower ends with screw eyes 25 mounted in the respective levers 3 and 1. It will be apparent therefore that when fluid under pressure is admitted beneath the piston 21 the upward movement of the plunger will actuate the equalizing member to cause that lever which is connected with the forward end of the brake band, and is therefore in the lower position, to be elevated against the action of its weight, and thereby release the band. When it is desired to again set the brake the fluid pressure in the cylinder is relieved so that the weighted levers again become operative.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6, I have illustrated a slightly modified form of the invention, in whichthe actuating devices are arranged to normally act on the brake band to release the same and the controlling device, under the control of the operator, serves to set the brake. In this form of the device the actuating devices are also shown in the form of levers, 26- and 27, provided at their outer ends with weights 28 and comprising hub portions 29 and 30 journaled on a shaft 31. The hub portions of the levers are provided with projections or crank arms 31 and 32 by means of which they are connected with the respective ends of the brake band 2. The crank arm 31" is, directly connected with the end 33 of the brake band by means of a pin 34 and the crank arm 32 is connected with the end 35 of the brake band by a connecting rod 36 comprising a turn buckle 37 by means of which it may be adjusted. The two levers are provided with projections 38 and 39 arranged to engage a fixed stop 40 to limit the movement thereof by the brake band. will be noted that the crank arms 31 and 32 and stops 38 and 39 are so arranged with relation to the weighted ends of the levers that the normal movement of the levers under the influence of their weights, will move the ends of the brake band in a direction to release the band, thus holding the same normally in its released position. A controlling device 41 similar to that above described is provided for setting the brake. The plunger 42 of this controlling device has pivotally mounted on its upper end an equalizing bar 43 the ends of which are connected by links 44twith the levers 26 and 27. When upward movement is imparted to the plunger 4 .2 it will tend to move both levers upwardly against the resistance of their weights but the drag of the brake band on the drum will cause one lever to move against the fixed stop 40 to anchor the connected end of the band, while the movement of the controlling device will cause the other lever to be moved upwardly and thus tighten the band about the drum to set the brake. It will be obvious that when the brake drum is moved in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4 the end 33 of the brake band will constitute the rear end thereof and will be anchored against movement while the end 35 will be actuated through the medium of the controlling device to set the brake, and when the drum is rotated in the opposite clirection the end 35 of the band will be anchored and the end 38 will be actuated to set the brake.

WVhile I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction, and a brake band extending about said drum, of separately operable devices for anchoring either end of said brake band, according to the direction of rotation of said drum, and for imparting operative movement to the other end of said brake band.

2. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction, and a brake band extending about said drum, of separately operable devices for anchoring either end of said brake band, according to the direction of rotation of said drum, and for imparting operative movement to the other end of said brake band, and other means for imparting movement to the last mentioned end of said brake band in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved by the first mentioned means.

3. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction, and a brake band extending about said drum, of separately operable actuating devices connected with the respective ends of said brake band, means for limiting the movement of one or the other of said actuating devices by said band, according to the direction of rotation of said drum, and means for imparting movement to the other of said actuating devices to control the operation of said brake band.

4. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction, and a brake band extending about said drum, of separately operable actuating devices connected with the respective ends of said brake band and each tending to move its end of said brake band in one direction, means for limiting the movement of either of said actuating devices by said brake band, according to the direction of rotation of said drum, and means for imparting movement to the other of said actuating devices to move the connected end of said brake band in a direction opposite that in which it is moved by the normal operation of said actuating device.

5. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction, and a brake band extending about said drum, of separately 0 erable actuating devices connected with t e respective ends of said brake band and each tending normally to move its end of said brake band in a direction to set said band, means for limiting the movement of either of said actuating" devices by said brake band, according to the direction of rotation of said drum, and means for imparting movement to the other oi said actuating devices to move the connected end of said brake band in a direction to release said band.

6. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction, and a' limiting the movement of either of said levers by said band, according to the direction of rotation of said drum, to anchor the corresponding end of said band, and means for imparting movement to the other lever to cause it to actuate that end of said band with which it is connected.

7. The combination with a brake drum which is'rotatable in either direction, and a brake band extending about said drum, of levers movable about a common axis connected with the respective ends of said brake band and having their ends separately weighted to cause them to move normally in one direction, means for limiting the movement of either of said levers by said brake band, according to the direction of rotation of said drum, and means for moving the other of said levers against the action of its weighted end.

8. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction, and a brake band extending about said drum, of levers connected with the respective ends of said brake band and having their ends separately weighted to cause them to move normally in a direction to tighten said band about said weighted lever to set the band, and means for actuating the last mentioned lever to release said band.

9. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction, and a brake band extending about said drum, of levers connected with the respective ends of said band and having their ends separately weighted to cause them to move normally in one direction, a fixed stop, a part carried by each lever and arranged to engage said step when a pull is exerted on said lever by said brake band, and means tor-actuating that lever which is out of engagement with said stop to control the action thereof on said brake band.

10. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction, and a brake band extending about said drum, of a shaft, a pair of levers each comprising a hub portion journaled on said shaft, and each having its end weighted to cause it to move in one direction, crank arms to connect said levers with the respective ends of said brake band, a fixed stop, a part rigidly secured to each lever and arranged to engage said stop when said lever is actuated by said brake band, and a controlling device connected with said levers to move the same against the action of their weighted ends.

11 The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction and a brake band extending about said drum, of separately operable devices acting on the re spective ends of saidbralre band and comprising means for anchoring either end of said band, according to the direction of rotation of said drum, and for moving the other end of said brake band in a direction to tighten the brake band about said drum, and means under the control of the operator for moving the last mentioned end of said'band in a direction to release the same.

12. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction and a brake band extending about said drum, of separately operable devices acting on the re spective ends of said brake band and comprising means for anchoring either end of said brake band, according to the direction of rotation of said drum, and for moving the other end of said band in one direction,and fluid operated means for moving the last mentioned end of said band inthe other direction.

13. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction, and a thus anchor the corresponding end of said band against movement by said drum, and fluid operated means to cause the other of said actuating devices to move its-end by said band in a direction opposite that in which it is normally moved by said actuating device.

14;. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction, and a brake band extending about said drum, of levers connected with the respective ends of said brake band and each having its end weighted to move the connected end of said band in one direction, means to limit the movement of one or the other of said levers by said brake banchaccording to the direction of rotation of said drum, and a fluid actuated device comprising a pivoted member having its opposite ends connected with the respective levers to control the operation thereofon said brake band.

15. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction, and a brake band extending about said drum, of levers movable about a common axis connected with the respective endsofsaid brake'band and having their ends weighted to normally move the respective ends of said band in a di'ection to tighten said band about said drum, a stop to limit the movement of one of said levers by said brake band while the other lever acts on its end of said brake band to tighten the same about the drum, and means under the control of the operator for actuating the last mentioned lever to release said brake band.

16. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction, and a brake band extending about said drum, of levers movable about a common axis connected with the respective endsoit said brake band and having their ends weighted to normally move the respectiveends of said band in a direction to tighten said band about said drum, a stop to limit the movement of one of said levers by said brake band while the other lever acts on its end of said brake band to tighten the same about the drum, a fluid operated device, and means for so con necting said fluid operated device with said levers that it will move that lever which serves to tighten said band in a direction to release said band.

17. The combination with a brakedrum which is rotatable in either direction, and a brake band extending about said drum, of levers connected with the respective ends of said brake band and having their ends weighted to normally move the respective ends of said band in a direction to tighten said band about said drum a stop to limit the movement of one of said levers by said brake band while the other lever acts on its end of said brake band to tighten the same about the drum, fluid operated device comprising a reciprocatory member, an equalizing bar pivotally mounted between its ends on said memher, and links connecting the ends of said equalizing bar with the respective levers.

18. The combination with a brake which is rotatable in either direction, and a brake band extending about said drum, levers operatively connected with the respective ends of said band and having their ends separately weighted to normally move said ends of said band in opposite directions, means to limit the movement of one of said levers by said band and anchor the connected end of said band, and fluid operated means for actuating the other of said levers to move its end of said band in a direction opposed to the action of the weight which is connected therewith.

19. The combination with a brake drum which is rotatable in either direction and a brake band extending about said drum, of separate actuating devices connected with the respective ends of said brake band and tending normally to move the same in opposite directions, means to limit the movement of one of said actuating devices by said brake band and thus anchor the connected end of said band, and means for causing the other of said actuating devices to move its end of said band in a direction opposite to that in which it is normally moved by said device.

In testimony whereof, I ailiX my signature hereto.

BERLIN S. FERGUSON. 

